The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1887-08-06
BUFFALO BILLS EARLY DAYS.
How He Whipped IN 1nglish Bully
in tho Red-Hot Daya

hikitior has recently been visited by her
Majesty, the Empress Of India, was pro-
tege of the famous border hero, Wild
Bill, with whom he hunted and secuted,
and who made him 6rst deputy when
holding the responsible and dangerous
position OF City Marshal of Abilene, Kan
Buffalo Bill had achieved reputation on
the plains before Ned Buntline brought
him, in his Wild West dramas, promi
nently before the people of the East as q
typical frontiersman. A little before
this time he figured in IN exciting pugi
listic encounter in Kansas City. He was
young man then, as now, superbly de-
veloped physically, of undaunted courage,
renowned for his exploits in the killing of
buffalo and az Government scout in times
of Indian troubles, and doing at leisure
intervals little work, conspicuous for
its conscientious attention to details, 10
the way Of painting frontier towns in
hues Of scarlet and vermilli0n.
Kansas City was at that time the rem
devious of the buffalo hunters and gener
al Quitting point for expeditions over
the plains. 1t was an ungainly, over
grown settlement, strung along the steam.
boat wharves at the foot of the bluffs on
the Missouri river, opposite the mouth of
the Kaw, but giving even then promise of
its subsequent marvellous growth. 1t was
in the red hot stage Of local development
and had population fearful and wonder
full to contemplate. Here was gathered
ex-bushwhackcrs of the war just finished.
Union and Confederate, with animosities
yet nnhealcd. buffalo hunters and trappers
from the plains and mountains, Mexican
freighters from over the Santa Fe trail,
roustabouts from the steamboat landings,
and gamblers from everywhere who min
ged, caroused and fought on the drop of
the hat, while, attracted like camp-follow
ers to the field of carnage, painted, show
lily dressed women practiccd their allure
ments in numerous dance halls and lent a
gaudy adornment to the muddy streets.
Almost every man carried weapons and
was prompt to use them on occasions
with, and often without. provocation.
Here in this frontier paradise appeared
an athletic and bumptious Englishman,
who soon made himself Objectionable
to the community by his fondness for
fist-6ghtiDg. He possessed both strength
and science, and courted encounters
ut fisticuffs, from which he invariably
csme out victorious. He had "done up
successfully every one who could be found
to meet him, from those who made preten-
sions to ability under the rules of the
prize ring to the unpromising boatman,
haIf-horse, half-alligator, who fought
viciously rough and tumble. He was
bullying and overbearing of demeanor,
and had become source of chronic sSs.
asperAtion to the fighting population OF
Kansas City. He went ostentatiouslv
without weapons, and there existed in
the minds Of many a prejudice against
shooting an unarmed man, which inter
fered with the adoption of the ordinary
methods Of getting rid of an obnoxious
party in the community. A popular sen
timent had arisen, however, and was rap
idly extending, favorable to his assassina
ton, when in informal cOnclave it wa.
concluded, after some discussion, to await
the coming of Buffalo Bill, who was dali J
expected to arrive from the plains, and t.
then cOntrive that a hostile meeting
should occur between them.
In the course of time Buffalo Bill ap
peared in town, and as soon as possible
after his arrival meeting was effected
between him and the Englishman in
saloon, quarrel easily started, and
fight arranged. A back room Of tn
saloon Was the arena and both men Sc
to business with promptness and energy
For the first fifteen minutes Buffalo Bill
who was as 1.-THE and quick as an Indian
fought on the defensive, and did littl,
but dodge and parry the blows of hi
antagonist, who followed him about tn
room hitting heavily but generally in
EFFECTIVELY, and who soon got warm ant
began to lose wind and temper. Thel
Buffalo Bill, who, though somewhat pun
ished had kept his GOODNESS and temper
assumed the aggressive. Avoiding ter
rifle blow at his face, he sprung witt
the movement of panther under tn
Englishman's guard and caught hin
with both hands by the throat in
grip like steel. For q few moments
the Englishmsn rsined short arme'
blows on him and struggled to brea
his hold, but his efforts could uot loos
the grasp on his windpipe and present.
he grew black in the face and fell to TIL
floor. Buffalo Bill held his grip until hi
opponent was motionless and apparent
dead, and then released him and Wake
away, bearing marks of punishment b,
victorious. 1t took long time to brin
the Englishman to, and for while the tas
seemed hopeless. He was shaken an
rolled. deluged with ice-water, and stron
hartshorn was held TO his nose but und,